Poland’s National Security Council is set to meet today to discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and its implications for regional security. The council will convene in the afternoon following a decision by President Andrzej Duda, who is expected to brief participants on the outcome of this week’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and the latest national security challenges from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

NATO leaders meeting at the two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital this week pledged to support Ukraine „for as long as it takes” and shortened Kyiv’s path to membership of the alliance. At the same time, the Group of Seven or G7 major industrialized countries unveiled new security assurances for Ukraine this week.

The Polish president told reporters on Wednesday that Russia posed the biggest threat to NATO allies and that any use of nuclear weapons by Moscow would be met with „an appropriate response.”

Today is day 505 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Source: Polskie Radio, PAP

President Duda issued a message yesterday to mark 78 years since the Augustów Roundup massacre, in which hundreds of Polish anti-communist fighters were killed by Soviet soldiers and secret police.

Duda paid tribute to „our compatriots who have fallen for their loyalty to the homeland” as part of Poland’s official Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Augustów Roundup.

In his message, Duda explained that the events of July 12, 1945, are often referred to as the „Little Katyń” because the tragedy resembles the 1940 Soviet massacre of thousands of Polish officers and intellectuals.

In both cases, Polish patriots were killed by the Soviet Red Army and NKVD secret police, and Poland then „had to fight for the remembrance of the victims.” Duda noted, however, that, unlike Katyń, „the burial places of most of the victims of the Augustów Roundup have never been found.”

According to some researchers, the 1945 Augustów Roundup claimed the lives of some 2,000 Polish anti-communist fighters, making it the worst crime against the Polish people in the years following World War II.

Source: Polskie Radio

The Polish government has approved a plan to build the country’s first nuclear power plant using US technology, with the first reactor due for launch in 2033.

Climate and environment minister Anna Moskwa announced the move via Twitter on Wednesday, writing that the Polish government had „issued a decision-in-principle for the Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ) company, which brings us closer to the construction of the first nuclear power plant in our country.”

The decision-in-principle document will allow investors to apply for further administrative permits, such as the decision location and building permits.

Moskwa praised the decision in her post, stating that „nuclear energy will ensure the stability of power supply and diversification of energy sources, and thus – the energy sovereignty of our country.”

The initial application by PEJ from December 2021 lists sites near Choczewo in Pomerania as the preferred initial location for the first nuclear power plant. Construction is due to start in 2026, with the 1-1.6 GW capacity power plant set to begin operating in 2033.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio

Polish football champions Raków Częstochowa have beaten Estonian side Flora Tallinn 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round one qualifier.

Raków’s Ukrainian midfielder Vladyslav Kochergin scored the only goal of the match at the Municipal Stadium in Częstochowa in the 54th minute as the two sides began their European campaign on Tuesday.

Raków will play Flora again in the second leg next Tuesday, July 18, in Tallinn.

The winner of the two matches will go on to face either Azerbaijani side Qarabag Agdam or Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps in the second round of Champions League qualifiers. The loser will be relegated to the lower Europa Conference League.

Source: Polskie Radio

All swimming areas in Pomerania have been reopened after a bloom of cyanobacteria forced the closer of over a dozen beaches in Trójmiasto. As of Wednesday at noon, the health department announced on its website that the water in all bathing areas of the province, including lakes and beaches, is suitable for swimming.

Updated information on water quality and beach closures is available >>>HERE.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a mix of sun and clouds, with a chance of rain in the early afternoon, accompanied by a light breeze from the west and north. Temperatures will be cooler than yesterday, with a daytime high of 22°C or 72°F, dropping to a low of 14°C or 58°F overnight. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, with a chance for more rain returning on Sunday.

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Elizabeth Peck/MarWer